A. COMPREHENSIVE USER WATER AND WASTEWATER RATE STUDY Project tasks shall include, but are not necessarily limited to, the items noted below. Task 1-Initial Meetings and Data Collection This task will involve collecting and reviewing basic data to be provided by the City of Coachella, reports by others, historical and current financial information, operating and capital budgets. When possible, financial data will be collected in electronic form to avoid duplication of effort with regard to data entry and to ensure data accuracy. It is critical to ensure that available data supports costs allocations in light of California’s Proposition 218. Specific activities will include: • Data Request. Consultant will furnish the City of Coachella with a list of basic data needed to conduct the study. The list may include additional details regarding: customer information, financial and operating data, historical customer account and billing records, reports by others, audits, projected operating and capital budgets, detailed fixed asset records and relevant ordinances. • Data Compilation. The domestic water rate study is reliant on the condition of the present domestic water billing data. The City will furnish the Consultant data tables. Consultant will be responsible for: Reconciling billing data provided Identifying missing account information from the list of Master Meter accounts by separating Master Meter transactions and identify the appropriate codes with the Master Meter account table. This includes locating accounts that may only be identified through subaccounts and sub-sub-account, which is not a standard practice. This creates a “grandparent”, “parent”, “child” relationship, resulting in an unusable web of data when exported. Removing inactive data from accounts that are grouped into master accounts. Cleaning up of unexplained extra transactions in the provided tables • Project Planning. During the project kick-off meeting, a discussion of current operations, maintenance, capital planning, financing, cost allocation and rate making policies, goals and scheduling will be conducted to provide reasonable assurance that work efforts and recommendations recognize and are consistent with established short and long-term City of Coachella objectives. Potential problem areas, vital issues of concern, data summary efforts by available City of Coachella staff and other relevant matters will also be discussed. • Review and Evaluation of Basic Data. Consultant will review all data received to confirm its completeness and Consultant’s understanding of historical domestic water and wastewater operations and requirements reflected therein. • Supplemental Data Requests. As the study progresses and after initial data is evaluated, Consultant will submit requests for additional data and clarifications of initial data received, as necessary.
